Handling tools for disassembling and installing well devices



March 15, 1966 R. BISHOP ETAL. 3,240,511

HANDLING TOOLS FOR DISASSEMBLING AND INSTALLING WELL DEVICES Filed Aug. 19, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS ROBERT BISHOP EDWARD E. cAsToR MICHAEL A. WALKER WILLIAM w. WORD, JR.

ATTORNEY5 March 15, 1966 R. BISHOP ETAL.

HANDLING TOOLS FOR DISASSEMBLING AND INSTALLING WELL DEVICES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 19, 1963 INVENTORS ROBERT BISHOP EDWARD E. CASTOR MICHAEL WALKER WILUAM w.

WORD, JR.

ATTORNEY5 March 15, 1966 R. BISHOP ETAL 3,240,511

HANDLING TOOLS FOR DISASSEMBLING AND INSTALLING WELL DEVICES Filed Aug. 19, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG.9.

Fl 6 INVENTORS ROBERT BISHOP EDWARD E. CASTOR MICHAEL A. WALKER WILLIAM W. WORD JR.

BY Q eg ma ATTORNEYS March 15, 1966 BISHOP T 3,240,511

HANDLING TOOLS FOR DISASSEMBLING AND INSTALLING WELL DEVICES Filed Aug. 19, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

INVENTORS OBERT BISHOP E ARD s R E- CA TO ICHAEL A. WALKER L|AM w. WORD, JR. Fl 6 .6 BY u, PM;

ATTORNEYS March W, 1966 R. BISHOP ETAL 3,240,511-

HANDLING TOOLS FOR DISASSEMBLING AND INSTALLING WELL DEVICES Filed Aug. 19, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS ROBERT BISHOP EDWARD E. GASTOR F! G I 0 MICHAEL A. WALKER WILLIAM W. WORD,JR. M wr wuw/wy ATTORNEY-5' United States Patent 3,240,511 HANDLING TOOLS FOR DISASSEMELING AND HNSTALLING WELL DEVICES Robert Bishop, Edward E. Castor, Michael A. Walker, and William W. Word, Jr., Houston, Tex., assignors to Armco Steel (Iorporation, Middletown, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Aug. 19, 1963, Ser. No. 302,792 11 Claims. (Cl. 285-18) This invention relates to handling tools for disassembling and assembling well devices and, more particularly, to such tools which are especially adapted for retrieving. and in some cases both installing and retrieving, well devices installed at remote points under water.

As disclosed in US. patent application Serial No. 192,- 172, filed May 3, 1962, by Paul E. Bickel and William W. Word, Jr., now patent No. 3,171,674, and in US. patent application Serial Nos. 302,836 and 302,974, filed August 19, 1963 by Robert Bishop, Edward E. Castor, Michael A. Walker, and William W. Word, Jr., and William W. Word, Jr., respectively, it is particularly advantageous to employ in underwater wells devices such as hanger bodies, hanger mandrels and pack-off devices which are not only held against downward movement, by the usual shoulders or seats, but are also fixed against upward movement, by at least one radially biased latch element. Following the practices disclosed in those applications, the well device is equipped with latch pins or segments which are biased outwardly by springs or the like and so located that, when the well device has been properly landed the latch pins or segments will snap outwardly to engage in an inwardly opening groove or recess suitably provided in the well member, such as a wellhead body, in which the well device is installed. Once the well device has been properly landed and latched, it cannot be retrieved until the latch elements have been positively re tracted so as to disengage from the groove or recess in the surrounding member. Accordingly, the well device is so dimensioned that an upwardly opening space is provided above each latch element, and each latch element is provided with a slanting cam face which is upwardly exposed via such space when the latch element is in its engaged position. A rigid actuating element can then be forced downwardly through the upwardly opening space into camming engagement with the latch element to cam the same to its retracted position. In some cases, the actuating element can be a part of a retrieving tool, as disclosed in said application Serial No. 192,172. In other cases, the well device itself carries the actuating element, and the retrieving tool operates the actuating element so provided, as disclosed in said application Serial No. 302,836.

When faced with the problem of retrieving well devices heretofore, prior-art workers have employed retrieving or handling tools which are to connected to the well device by a threaded joint. Thus, as disclosed in said copending a plication Serial No. 192,172, it is possible to recover latched well devices of the type referred to by providing threads at the upper end of the Well device and employing a correspondingly threaded retrieving tool provided with an outer annular skirt dimensioned and disposed to enter the upwardly opening space between the well device and the surrounding member, as the threaded joint between the retrieving tool and the well device is made up, the skirt effecting retraction of the latch element. In subsea and other underwater locations, however, such practices have met with serious difficulties, the most serious of which is the fact that it is frequently not feasible to make up a threaded joint at the wellhead, for example, when the operation is being carried out from a floating vessel subject to movement during the attempt to retrieve the well device.

A general object of this invention is to device an im proved tool for disassembling, retrieving, installing and otherwise handling well devices which, when in use, are latched in place at a remote, underwater point of installation such, for example, as a well head located on the marine floor.

Another object is to provide a retrieving tool which can be automatically coupled to the well device to be retrieved, and which thereafter can be remotely operated to accomplish disassembly or unlatching of the well device,

. A further object is to provide such a retrieving tool which can be detached from the well device and itself retrieved in the event of failure to actuate the latch element or elements of the Well device successfully to retracted position for disassembly of the well device.

Yet another object is to device a handling tool capable of use in both installing and retrieving well devices of the type described.

A still further object is to provide a handling tool for such well devices which will operate with maximum etfectiveness and dependability even under the adverse conditions met with in deep subsea installations.

In order that the manner in which these and other objects are attained in accordance with the invention can be understood in detail, reference is had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical sectional view of one embodiment of the invention, applied to a wellhead construction for remote installation;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a casing hanger mandrel employed in the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 3-3, FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 44, FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a portion of the device shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of a tool constructed in accordance with the invention for retrieving the casing hanger mandrel of FIG. 2 from the Wellhead;

FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 77, FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 8-8, FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view of another tool constructed in accordance with the invention for handling a seal device for packing off between a casing and a surrounding well member;

FIG. 10 is a detail sectional view taken on line 1010, FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view of a retrieving tool constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and first to FIGS. 1-4 thereof, it will be seen that the invention is illustrated here as applied to a wellhead construction adapted for underwater installation and including a generally tubular body member 1. It will be understood that the body member 1, when installed in the wellhead, has its lower end portion 2 seated on a lower body member (not shown) and is clamped to the lower body member in any suitable fashion. At its upper end, the body member 1 supports an upper body member 3, members 1 and 3 being clamped axially together by a power-actuated connector indicated generally at 4. Advantageously, the connector 4 can be constructed in accordance with copending application Serial No. 264,195, filed March 11, 1963, by Claude R. Neilon, William W. Word, Jr., and Michael A. Walker.

Tubular member 1 has an upright passage 5 which extends completely therethrough. At the lower end of member 1, this passage includes a plain cylindrical portion 6. At the upper end of portion 6, the passage includes an upwardly directed, downwardly and inwardly slanting frusto-conical shoulder 9 constituting a seat for supporting the casing hanger mandrel indicated generally at 10. Above shoulder 9, passage 5 is cylindrical and of larger diameter, being interrupted only by the inwardly opening transverse annular grooves 11, 12 and 13.

Hanger mandrel 11) is adapted to be inserted downwardly into the passage of outer tubular member 1. The mandrel includes an elongated lower portion 14 which is externally threaded for attachment of the mandrel to the casing 15 to be supported, such attachment being accomplished, for example, by threaded coupling 16. The upper portion of mandrel has a substantially greater wall thickness than does lower portion 14, the two portions being separated by a downwardly and inwardly slanting frusto-conical shoulder 17 adapted to come into face-toface engagement with the seat 9 as the mandrel is inserted downwardly into member 1.

Immediately above shoulder 17, mandrel 10 includes a portion 18 having an outer diameter such as to substantially fill the corresponding portion of passage 5 when the mandrel is in its seated position. Portion 18 terminates at a transverse annular groove 19 which opens outwardly and is so located with respect to shoulder 17 that, when the mandrel is seated, grooves 11 and 19 open toward each other. Groove 19 has a cylindrical inner wall 20, a flat, circularly extending lower side wall 21, and a flat circularly extending upper side wall 22, side walls 21 and 22 being parallel and spaced apart by a distance such that, taking into consideration the axial position of groove 19, the upper side wall 22 is disposed a material distance above groove 11 when the mandrel is properly seated, as shown. As will be clear from FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, upper wall 22 terminates in a dependent lip 22 which, as seen in FIG. 5, is interrupted by a gate 22".

Above groove 19, mandrel 10 presents a cylindrical outer surface portion 23 of larger diameter and a second, upper cylindrical outer surface portion 24 of somewhat smaller diameter than portion 23. It will be noted that surface portion 23 is of materially smaller diameter than is the corresponding portion of passage 5 which surrounds the same. Hence, when mandrel 10 is disposed with shoulder 17 in engagement with seat 9, an upwardly opening annular space 25 is provided which extends from the location of grooves 11 and 19 upwardly to the top of mandrel 10.

Groove 19 slidably accommodates a plurality of arcuate latch segments 26, the segments being arranged in an endto-end circular series extending completely around the mandrel. Each segment 26 has an inner portion which substantially fills the vertical width of groove 19 and is defined by an arcuate inner surface 27, a fiat lower surface 28 and a flat upper surface 29, surfaces 28 and 29 being parallel and disposed in sliding engagement with walls 21 and 22, respectively. Each segment also includes a tip portion adapted for engagement in groove 11 and defined by a downwardly and inwardly slanting surface 30, a flat upper surface 31, and an arcuate surface 32. Surface 31 is spaced materially below surface 29 and so located that, when the mandrel is properly engaged with seat 9, and the latch segment is projected outwardly relative to the mandrel, surface 31 will engage under the transverse annular top wall 33 of groove 11. Between the outer edge of surface 29 and the inner edge of surface 31 extends a downwardly and outwardly slanting, upwardly directed cam face 34. The radial dimensions of surface 31 and cam face 34 are such that, when the segment 26 is engaged in groove 11, with face 32 adjacent the inner wall of the groove, cam surface 34 then slants across the bottom of open space 25 so as to be exposed upwardly via this space.

Referring to FIG. 5, it will be seen that gate 22" is of such length that each segment 26 can be passed therethrough. In assembly, the segments are simply passed through gate 22 and then moved endwise along groove 19 until all of the segments are in place. Centrally of gate 22", a suitable radial bore is provided through inner wall 20. Once all of the segments have been inserted, the series of segments is adjusted until the bore is exposed between the adjacent ends of two of the segments. A pin 26 is then driven into the bore, a portion of the pin projecting between the ends of the adjacent pair of segments, as shown in FIG. 5, to prevent the segments from shifting to positions such that one would register with gate 22". In this connection, it will be understood that the total arcuate extent of the segments 26 is less than 360, so that the pin 20' is accommodated and the segments are free to slide radially in groove 19. Advantageously, the inner surface of lip 22' is frusto-conical and disposed at an angle matching that of cam faces 34 when the segments are in place.

Each segment 26 is provided with a plurality of recesses which open through surface 27 and accommodate compression springs 35 engagedwith the inner wall 20 of groove 19. As will be clear from FIGS. 1-3, the springs 35 are normally effective to 'bias segments 26 outwardly, so that the tips of the segments project beyond the confines of groove 19. At its upper end, passage 5 terminates in a downwardly and inwardly slanting frusto-conical surface 36. When mandrel 10 is inserted downwardly into passage 5, the tips of segments 26 first engage surface 36 and are accordingly forced inwardly, against the resilient biasing action of springs 35. The tips then ride along the cylindrical upper portion of the passage, successively snapping into and being cammed out of the grooves 13 and 12 as the mandrel continues its downward movement toward seat 9. In this connection, it will be observed that each of the grooves 11-13 has a downwardly and inwardly slanting frusto-conical lower wall, capable of coacting with the lower surfaces 30 of the tips of the latch segments 26 in such fashion as to cam the segments inwardly as downward motion of the mandrel progresses. Accordingly, the arrangement is such that the tips of the latch segments 26 can simply follow the configuration of the upper portion of passage 5 until shoulder 17 comes into proper engagement with seat 9, at which time all of the latch segments 26 are urged outwardly into latching engagement in groove 11. Thus, once the mandrel has been properly landed, automatic engagement of the latch segments in groove 11 serves to prevent upward movement of the mandrel.

Embracing the upper portion of mandrel 10 is a rigid sleeve 37 which serves both to close annular space 25 against entry of debris and to engage cam faces 34, FIG. 6, to accomplish retraction of the latch segments from groove 11 when the mandrel is to be withdrawn upwardly from head member 1. Sleeve 37 includes a lower cylindrical portion 38 of such diameter and thickness as to effectively fill space 25. The sleeve also includes an upper cylindrical portion 39 which is of such thickness as to bridge the space between the uppermost outer surface portion 24 of the mandrel and the surrounding portion of passage 5. The upper end of sleeve 37 is defined by an upwardly directed fiat transverse annular end face 40.

When the mandrel 10, FIG. 1, is prepared for insertion into the wellhead, sleeve 37 is initially secured in place by a shear pin 41, the location of the shear pin being such that upper end face 40 of sleeve 37 lies in the same transverse plane as upper end face 42 of the main body of the mandrel. With the shear pin retaining the sleeve in this position, the transverse annular lower end face 43 of the sleeve is spaced slightly above cam faces 34 of the latching segments 26. Also, with the sleeve in this initial position, there is substantial free space between the shoulder joining portions 38 and 39 of the sleeve and the opposing shoulder joining surface portions 23 and 24 of the upper end portion of the mandrel body. Accord-- ingly, when adequate downward force is applied to sleeve 37 to rupture shear pin 41, the arrangement is such that the sleeve can slide downwardly in space 25 so that the lower end face 43 of the sleeve simultaneously engages cam faces 34 of all of the latching segments and so forces all of the latching segments radially inwardly to retract the same from groove 11. In this connection, it will be observed that, when the latching segments are fully engaged in groove 11, there is suflicient space between the inner surfaces 27 of the segments and the inner wall 20 of groove 19 to allow the radial inward movement of the segments necessary for full retraction and disengagement from groove 11.

The next inner element above mandrel in the wellhead assembly may be a sealing ring 44 which is seated on upper end face 42 of the mandrel body and fills passage 5 to block the upper ends of bypass ducts 45. In the assembly illustrated, the sealing ring 44 also serves to support the tubing hanger mandrel indicated generally at 46. Thus, sleeve 44 is of such configuration as to present upwardly facing transverse annular seats 47 and 48, and the mandrel 46 has cooperating transverse annular downwardly facing shoulders 49 and 50, respectively.

The tubing hanger mandrel 46 is provided with an outwardly opening transverse annular groove 51 which accommodates an annular series of arcuate latch segments 52, segments 52 being in all respects identical to segments 26 as hereinbefore described. Groove 51 is so located that, when tubing hanger mandrel 46 is properly landed, with its shoulders 49 and 50 respectively engaging the seats 47 and 48 presented by ring 44, groove 51 opens toward groove 13 so that the springs associated with segments 52 are effective to urge those segments outwardly into latching engagement in groove 13. Exteriorly, the upper end portion of tubing hanger mandrel 46 has the same configuration as does the upper end portion of hanger mandrel 10, and a rigid sleeve 53, in all respects identical with sleeve 37, embraces the upper end portion of the tubing hanger mandrel. Sleeve 53 is normally retained in an upper, inactive position, out of engagement with segments 52, by a shear pin 54. It will thus be apparent that, in its own location, sleeve 53 serves the same dual purposes as does sleeve 37.

The upper end portion of mandrel 11) is internally threaded, as indicated at 55, and the upper end portion of tubing hanger mandrel 46 is similarly internally threaded, as indicated at 56. In a location below groove 19, the mandrel 19 is provided with a transverse annular inwardly opening groove 57 having a flat transverse annular inwardly opening groove 57 having a flat transverse annular upper wall 58. Immediately above groove 57, mandrel 19 has an internal transverse annular upwardly directed seat 59. Similarly, tubing hanger mandrel 46 is provided with a transverse annular inwardly opening groove 60 having a flat transverse upper wall 61. Above groove 69, mandrel 46 has an upwardly directed transverse annular seat 62.

One particularly advantageous embodiment of a disassembling and retrieving tool in accordance with the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 6-8, the tool being shown as engaged with the casing hanger mandrel 19 for retrieval thereof from its installed position within body member 1, FIG. 1, at a time when the sealing ring 44 and tubing hanger 46 are not present. The retrieving tool comprises a main body indicated generally at 70 and having a lower end portion adapted for downward insertion into the passage of the casing hanger mandrel. Body 70 presents a transverse annular downwardly facing shoulder 71 adapted for engagement with seat 59. Below shoulder 71, the body is provided with a transverse annular outwardly opening groove 72 which accommodates a plurality of arcuate latching segments 73. Below groove 72, the body 70 has a cylindrical portion 74 of materially smaller diameter than the corresponding portion 75 of 6 the passage '76 of mandrel 10. Above groove 72, portion 77 of the body 70 is of such diameter as to substantially fill the passage 76 adjacent seat 59.

Latch segments 73 are generally similar to latch segments 26, hereinbefore described, except that the lower downwardly and inwardly slanting faces 78 of segments 73 are employed as the cam faces by means of which the segments can be retracted. Each segment 73 has a fiat surface 79 which defines the upper face of the tip of the segment and is adapted to be engaged below the flat upper wall 58 of groove 57. For each segment 73, a compression spring 819 is provided to bias the segment outwardly.

Since the cylindrical lower tip portion 74 of body 70 is of smaller diameter than is mandrel bore portion 75, a downwardly opening annular space 81 is provided immediately below the cam faces 78 of the segments '73 when body 70 is seated on shoulder 59. Slidably engaged in space 81, and substantially filling the same, is the skirt 82 of a segment retractor member indicated generally at 83. Member 33 includes a circular base 84 having a central opening 85 and three openings 86 which are spaced in a circular series concentric with the central opening. Each opening 86 includes a portion of larger diameter, which opens toward body 79, and a portion of smaller diameter, which opens away from body 70. Three screws 87 extend each through a different one of the openings 86 and are engaged in suitable threaded openings provided in the bottom end of body 70. The larger portion of each opening 86 accommodates a compression spring 88 which surrounds the corresponding screw 87, the springs 83 acting between the bottom end face of body 70 and the base 84 of member 83 to bias actuating member 83 downwardly. When the retrieving tool has been landed, so that shoulder 71 of body 70 engages seat 59, and with plug 117, hereinafter described, being absent a wire line tool 91), equipped with outwardly biased latch segments 91, can be passed downwardly through bore 39 and central opening 85 of member 83, the latch segments 91 then springing outwardly to engage beneath the base 84 of actuating member 83, as shown in FIG. 6. Accordingly, though landing of the retrieving tool on seat 59 causes segments 73 to snap outwardly into groove 57 so that body '70 is held against withdrawal from mandrel 10, the latching segments 73 can be released by lowering the wire line tool 90 until latch segments 91 are engaged beneath member 83 and then pulling upwardly on the wire line to cause member 83 to move toward body 70, so that skirt 82 engages the cam faces 78 of latching segments 73 and forces the latching segments inwardly until they are disengaged from groove 57. The retrieving tool can then be removed, leaving mandrel It in place.

Above shoulder 71, body 70 presents a right cylindrical outer surface portion 95 which is substantially longer than is the portion of mandrel 10 above seat 59. At the upper end of surface portion 95, body 79 is provided with a circular outwardly projecting flange 96 which is concentric with the central axis of body 70. An outwardly opening groove 97 is provided in the periphery of flange 96 and accommodates an O-ring 98. Cooperating with flange 96 and cylindrical surface portion 95 is an actuator ring indicated generally at 99. Ring 99 includes a right cylindrical, tubular portion 100 having an inner diameter such that the inner surface thereof slidably embraces flange 96. The actuator ring also comprises an inwardly projecting annular flange 101 having an inner diameter such as to slidably embrace the cylindrical surface portion 95 of body 70. The cylindrical inner face of flange 101 is provided with an inwardly opening groove 102 accommodating an O-ring 103. The upper end portion 104 of ring 99 projects above flange 96 and carries a rigidly attached, inwardly projecting ring 105 which, because engageable with the upper face of flange 96, is efiective to retain ring 99 on body 70.

Since portion 130 of ring 99 slidably engages the periphery of flange 96, while flange 101 slidably engages surface 95, and since O-rings 98 and 103 provide fluidtight seals, it will be clear that the ring 99 and adjacent portions of body cooperate to define an expansible chamber 196. Body 70 is provided with at least one axially extending duct 107 which opens into chamber 106 and to which is connected a fluid-supply conduit 198. In this embodiment of the tool, a portion 109 of body 70 above flange 96 is of smaller outer diameter than outer surface portion 95, so that bore 107 open upwardly and conduit 108, located exteriorly of the tool body, can be connected to bore 107 by a suitable threaded fitting 119. Body portion 109 is provided with a lateral duct 111 and the remaining end of conduit 198 is connected to that duct via a suitable threaded fitting 112. Below duct 111, body portion 109 of the tool is provided with a plurality of radially extending bores 113 lying in a common transverse plane.

The upper end of body 70 is in the form of an internally threaded tool joint 114 by which the retrieving tool can be connected to a string of handling pipe (not shown). The interior of joint 114 includes concentric downwardly and inwardly slanting frutso-conical portions 115 and 116.

When the retrieving tool is first prepared for use, as for disassembling mandrel 19 from body member 1, FIG. 1, and retrieving the mandrel, a hollow plug indicated generally at 117 is installed. Plug 117 includes a lower cylindrical tip portion 118 of a diameter such as to be snugly accommodated in the upper end portion of through bore 89. Above tip portion 118, the plug includes a downwardly and inwardly slanting frusto-conical shoulder portion 119 adapted to seat on the shoulder presented at 116. An outwardly opening transverse annular groove 120 is provided in tip portion 118 and so located that, when the plug is seated with surface 119 engaging surface 116, the groove 120 will open toward the radial bores 113. The plug is initially retained in place by a plurality of shear pins 121 each extending through a different one of the bores 113 and projecting inwardly to engage in groove 120.

Plug 117 is provided with an axially extending bore which opens through the top of the plug and extends downwardly into tip portion 118, terminating short of the lower end of the tip portion. Thus, the bore includes a lower portion 122. A plurality of radially extending ducts 123 lead outwardly from bore portion 122, communicating with an outwardly opening transverse annular groove 124 in tip portion 118. The location of the ducts 123 and groove 124 is such that, when surface 119 engages surface 116, groove 124 opens toward duct 111 and duct 111 is therefore placed in communication with bore portion 122 via ducts 123. Two external transverse annular grooves are provided in tip portion 118 of the plug, one being located above groove 124 and the other therebelow. These two grooves accommodate O-rings 125 and 126 to establish fluid-tight seals between the tip portion 118 and the wall of bore 89. Accordingly, assuming that body 70 is connected to a handling string of pipe via joint 114, and that the upper portion of the bore in plug 117 is open, it will be clear that fluid supplied under pressure via the string of handling pipe will pass through bore portion 122, ducts 123 and 111, conduit 108, and duct 107 into the expansible chamber 106 to apply pressure downwardly to the actuator ring 99.

The cylindrical tubular portion 100 of ring 99 projects below flange 101 to present a downwardly facing transverse annular end surface 125. The dimensions of ring 99 are such that end surface 125' is opposed to the transverse annular upwardly directed end face 40 of sleeve 37 carried by the casing mandrel 10. Accordingly, when the ring 99 is actuated downwardly by pressure fiuid supplied via the handling string, ring 99 comes into engagement with sleeve 37 and applies thereto a force adequate to rupture shear pin 41. Continued application of fluid pressure to expansible chamber 106 therefore causes both ring 99 and sleeve 37 to move downwardly, relative to the retrieving tool and mandrel which, of course, are both still fixed against movement at this stage. The downward movement of sleeve 37 thus accomplished is effective to bring the lower end face 43 thereof into simultaneous engagement with all of the cam faces 34 of latch segments 26, so that the latch segments are forced radially inwardly and out of engagement with the groove 11 in member 1. As will be clear from FIG. 6, downward movement of actuator ring 99 and sleeve 37 terminates when the inner faces 27 of segments 26 come into engagement with the inner wall 20 of groove 19. The segments 26 now being fully retracted, casing mandrel 10, and the casing string 15 suspended therefrom, can be removed simply by pulling upwardly on the handling string to which joint 114 is connected. In this regard, it is to be noted that the outer cylindrical surfaces of ring 99 and sleeve 37 are of such diameter as to be capable of sliding freely along the upper portion of passage 5 in member 1 so that, segments 26 being fully retracted, nothing is presented to impede the upward movement of the combination of the retrieving tool and casing hanger mandrel. Assuming that full retraction of latch segments 26 has been accomplished as just described, then segments 73 will, of course, have been left fully engaged in groove 57 so that the retrieving tool body 70 still remains securely latched to mandrel 10.

The upper portion of plug 117 presents a downwardly and inwardly slanting frusto-conical guiding surface 126 and an enlarged bore portion 127, the latter being provided with an inwardly opening transverse annular groove 128. Assuming that it is necessary or desirable to remove the plug 117 while leaving body 70 latched to mandrel 10, a wire line tool 129 can be passed downwardly through the handling string so that the tip of tool 129 engages in bore portion 127. Tool 129 is provided with a plurality of outwardly biased latch pins 130 capable of engaging in groove 128. With pins 130 so engaged, an upward strain applied to wire line tool 129 will be effective to rupture shear pins 121 and allow free withdrawal of plug 117. When that has been accomplished, it is then possible to pass wire line tool 90 downwardly through the handling string until latch pins 91 engage beneath actuating member 83. It is thus possible to accomplish unlatching of the retrieving tool from casing mandrel 10 so that the retrieving tool can be recovered without retrieving the casing hanger mandrel.

Referring again to FIG. 1, it will be noted that groove 61 and shoulder 62 in tubing hanger mandrel 46 have the same dimensional and positional relationships as do the corresponding groove 57 and shoulder 59 in casing hanger mandrel 10. Further, sleeve 53 has the same dimensional and positional relationships as does sleeve 37. Accordingly, the retrieving tool illustrated in FIGS. 68 obviously can be employed as well to accomplish unlatching of the tubing hanger mandrel 46, and retrieval thereof, as to accomplish the same operations with the casing hanger mandrel.

FIG. 9 illsutrates a handling tool constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention and also shows that such tools can be employed for landing and retrieving of various well devices other than the hanger mandrel discussed with reference to the tool disclosed in FIG. 6. The handling tool indicated generally at 140, FIG. 9, is useful for both landing and retrieving a sealing device 141 which can be employed to pack off between the casing 15 and the interior of body member 1 above shoulder 9.

Sealing device 141 includes a lower ring member 142, an upper ring member 143 and an annular packing element 144. Lower member 142 has a downwardly and inwardly slanting frusto-conical lower end face dimensioned to seat on shoulder 9 of member 1. Upper member 143 has a lower portion of smaller diameter which is slidably embraced by the upper portion of lower member 142, the two ring members being initially held in extended position by shear pins 146. With shear pins 146 intact, the cooperating surfaces of members 142 and 143 define an inwardly opening transverse annular recess which is adequately large to retain packing element 144 in its relaxed condition. However, when member 142 is seated on shoulder 9 and a downward force is applied to upper member 143, rupturing the shear pins, the two ring members are telescoped relative to each other so that the packing-accommodating recess is reduced in size and the packing is accordingly energized to sealing engagement with the outer surface presented by the top of casing 15.

Upper member 143 is provided with a transverse outwardly opening groove 147 which retains an annular series of arcuate latch segments 148 identical with the latch segments 26 described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 6. The dimensions of the two ring members, and the disposition of groove 147, are such that, when upper member 143 is forced downwardly until latch segments 148 can engage in groove 11 of member 1, packing 144 is properly energized. Latch segments 148 are biased outwardly by springs 149 so that, when the sealing device is properly landed by tool 146 in the manner hereinafter described, the latch segments will spring automatically into engagement with groove 11. The upper end portion of ring member 143 is slidably embraced by a rigid sleeve 150 which is identical with sleeve 37 of FIGS. 1, 2 and 6. Sleeve 150 is initially held in raised, inactive position by shear pins 151 but can be actuated downwardly to accomplish retraction of the latch segments 143, as hereinafter described.

Tool 146 comprises a main body 152 having a lower end portion 153 of such diameter as to be snugly received within the upper end portion of ring member 143. Above portion 153, body 152 is provided with a transverse annular downwardly and inwardly slanting shoulder 154 disposed to seat on a cooperating shoulder 155, body 152 has a cylindrical outer surface portion 156 which extends upwardly to an outwardly projecting annular flange 157.

Actuating ring 158, comprising a cylindrical portion 159 and an inwardly directed transverse annular flange 160, surrounds the tool body above shoulder 154. The upper portion of cylindrical portion 159 slidably embraces the periphery of flange 157, while the circular inner edge of flange 16E slidably embraces cylindrical outer surface portion 156 of the tool body. Surface portion 156, flange 157, cylindrical portion 159 and flange 160 cooperate to define an expansible chamber 161 in such fashion that, when fluid under pressure is supplied to the expansible chamber, actuating ring 158 is forced downwardly relative to body 152. The lower tip of cylindrical portion 159 of the actuating ring is dimensioned to come into direct engagement with the upper end surface of sleeve 1519. Hence, such downward movement of the actuating ring accomplishes downward movement of sleeve 150, so that the shear pins 151 are ruptured and sleeve 1519 is forced into engagement with the cam faces of segments 148 to cause the segments to be retracted from groove 11.

At its upper end, tool body 152 carries an upwardly projecting, interiorly threaded tubular portion162 by which the tool body can be connected to a string of handling pipe (not shown). At the bottom of portion 162, an axially directed, upwardly opening bore 163 is provided, bore 163 communicating with the expansible chamber 161 via at least one radial duct 164. Accordingly, when the tool 146 is connected to a string of handling pipe, fluid supplied under pressure down the string of handling pipe is directed to expansible chamber 161, via the interior of portion 162, bore 163 and duct 164, to provide actuation of ring 158.

At a suitable point below the top of shoulder 154, tool body 152 is provided with a transverse annular outwardly opening groove 165 disposed to be engaged by a plurality of shear pins 166 extending through suitable radial bores in the upper end portion of ring member 143 of the sealing device. With shear pins 166 properly in place, the tool 140 and the upper ring member 143 of the sealing device are rigidly coupled so that the sealing device can be properly landed by manipulating the string of handling pipe to which the tool 140 is attached. Once the sealing device has been landed and latch segments 1 18 are engaged in groove 11, an upward strain can then be applied to the handling pipe in order to rupture shear pins 166 and free the tool 140 for retrieval.

Lower end portion 153 of body 152 is provided with a plurality of outwardly opening cylindrical recesses 167 each accommodating a latch pin 163. Each latch pin 168 comprises an inner circular end portion 169 provided with an axially opening recess which accommodates one end of a compression spring 170 disposed to bias the latch pin outwardly. Portion 169 presents an outwardly tapering frusto-conical cam surface 171 and, at its outer end, is joined to the tip portion 172 of the latch pin by a stem 173 which is of reduced diameter. As seen in FIG. 10, the tip portion 172 of each latch pin is generally cylindrical but has a flat surface 174. The outer end of each recess 167 is threaded to receive an exteriorly threaded ring 175. The inner surface of ring 175 corresponds in shape to the outer surface of tip portion 172 and is so provided with a flat surface portion 176, FIG. 10. Each ring 175 is so installed that the corresponding latch pin 168 will be retained with its flat tip surface 174 facing upwardly. Inwardly of ring 175, each latch pin 168 is provided with a transverse annular flange 177 to engage the inner end face of the ring 175 so as to retain the latch pin in its recess 167.

Lower body portion 153 is also provided with a plurality of axially extending threaded bores 178 each opening radially into a different one of the cylindrical recesses 167. Each bore 178 accommodates a screw 179 having a frusto-conical tip portion 181) dimensioned to come into flush engagement with the cam face 171 of the latch pin retained in the corresponding recess. The positions of bores 178 on body 152 and the locations of cam faces 171 on latch pins 168 are so chosen that, with the latch pins and rings 175 properly installed, as shown, so that the springs 170 urge the latch pins to cause flanges 177 to engage rings 175, threading of the screws 179 through bores 178 will bring the frusto-conical tip surfaces 180 of the screws into camming engagement with the respective cam faces 171 of the latch pins and cause full retraction of the latch pins, so that the pins do not project beyond the circumference of lower end portion 153 of the tool body. Hence, with the latch pins so fully retracted, lower end portion 153 of the tool body can be fully inserted into the upper portion of ring member 143 of the sealing device, so that shear pins 166 can be properly engaged.

Immediately below the location of shoulder 155, the upper ring member 143 of the sealing device is provided with a transverse annular internal shoulder 181. Latch pin retaining recesses 167 are spaced below shoulder 154 by a distance such that, when shoulder 154 engages shoulder 155, the flat upwardly directed surface portions 174 of the tips of latch pins 168 will be located in a transverse plane below shoulder 181.

Accordingly, assuming that the sealing device 141 has been properly installed by means of tool 140 in the manner hereinbefore described, and that it is now desired to retrieve the sealing device, it will be apparent that screws 179 can be backed off manually, the tool 140 can then be lowered by means of the string of handling pipe until the tool comes into engagement with the upper ring member of the sealing device, and automatic latching of the pins 168 beneath shoulder 181 will then occur. In this connection, it will be understood that the latch pins 168 are biased to their projected positions and, as portion 153 enters the sealing device, the pins are first cammed inwardly because of engagement with shoulder 155 and then, when full engagement of shoulders 154 and 155 occurs, the latch pins spring automatically outwardly to engage beneath shoulder 181. Fluid can now be supplied under pressure down through the string of handling pipe and will be communicated to expansible chamber 161 via bore 163 and duct 164. Actuator ring 158 will accordingly be driven downwardly, engaging sleeve 150 and causing shear pins 151 to be ruptured. Further downward movement of ring 158 will drive sleeve 150 into camming engagement with the latch segments 148, accomplishing full retraction thereof in the same manner hereinbefore described with reference to operation of the tool disclosed in FIG. 6. With latch pin 148 fully retracted, an upward strain can now be applied to the handling string and the sealing device thus removed from the well head and retrieved.

Under the conditions of use of the tools of FIGS. 6 and 9 for handling well devices installed under water, lowering of the handling tool to the point of installation of the well device will always result in a substantial increase in fluid pressure applied exteriorly to such exposed elements at latch pins 168 and latch segments 148. If this increase in pressure is not communicated to the area behind the exposed element, descent of the handling tool will cause an increasing pressure differential effective to force the exposed element to its retracted position. Accordingly, each pin 168 is provided with an axial bore 182 communicating between the exposed tip of portion 172 and the portion of recess 167 behind the latch pin, so that the pressure differential is eliminated and spring 170 will be effective to bias the pin to fully projected position with flange 177 engaging ring 175. In the case of latch segments 148, for example, the spaces between the adjacent ends of the segments allow entry of fluid into groove 147 to prevent formation of a pressure differential which would force the segments inwardly. In this regard, it will be understood that segments 148 are arranged in the same fashion as segments 26, FIGS. 1, 2, and 6.

FIG. 11 illustrates a retrieving tool 190 useful for recovering internal wellhead elements, such as the mandrel 10, unlatching of the mandrel being accomplished solely by weight actuation. The tool 190 comprises an integral body having a tubular upper end 191 interiorly threaded for attachment to a handling string (not shown), the body having an outer cylindrical surface immediately below upper end 191 which, as indicated at 192, is adequate to at least substantially fill passage portion 5 of the surrounding wellhead member. The lower generally tubular portion of the body of the tool is dimensioned for downward insertion into the upper end portion of the mandrel and includes a downwardly and inwardly slanting frusto-conical shoulder 193 adapted to seat directly on the shoulder 59 presented by the mandrel. Immediately below shoulder 193, the tool body is of such diameter as to substantially fill the passage through the mandrel. A transverse annular outwardly opening groove 194 is provided in such a location as to open directly toward mandrel groove 57 when shoulder 193 is seated on shoulder 59.

Groove 194 accommodates a circular series of 'arcuate latching segments 195 each having a fiat upper surface 196 which lies in a transverse plane at right angles to the axis of the tool. Each segment 195 also has a downwardly and inwardly slanting, downwardly directed cam surface 197. All of the segments are resiliently biased radially outwardly, as by compression springs 198.

Below groove 194, the lower end portion 199 of the tool body has a cylindrical outer surface of such diameter as to be spaced materially inwardly from the surrounding wall of the passage through mandrel 10. Retained on the lower end portion of the tool body, as by screws 200, is an unlatching member indicated generally at 201. Of cup-shaped configuration, member 201 includes a cylindrical wall 202 which extends upwardly toward cam faces 197, through the annular space surrounding the lower end portion 199 of the tool body. Biased downwardly to an inactive position, as by compression springs 203, member 201 can be actuated upwardly, to bring wall 202 thereof into camming engagement with surfaces 197 of segments 195, by means of a wire line tool (not shown) passed downwardly through the central bore 204 of the retrieving tool. Thus, the wire line tool employed can be of the same general configuration as is illustrated in FIG. 6.

The portion of the tool body defined by outer cylindrical surface 192 terminates, at its lower end, in a dependent annular flange 205 of such radial thickness as to be capable of entering between the upper end portion of the mandrel and the surrounding wall of the passage in which the mandrel is seated. Thus, dependent flange 205 has a bottom face 206 which matches the top face 40 of actuating sleeve 37 of the mandrel. The dependent annular flange 205 is of such axial length, and is so located with respect to shoulder 193 that, when shoulder 193 is moved downwardly into engagement with shoulder 59, end face 205 will first engage end face 40 of actuating sleeve 37 and flange 205 will then force the actuating sleeve downwardly, camming mandrel segments 26 inwardly to their fully disengaged positions. The dimensions of tool are such that, as shoulder 193 seats on shoulder 59, dependent flange 205 completes the downward travel necessary to just cam the segments 26 to their fully disengaged positions, as shown. The retrieving tool is also so dimensioned that, as shoulder 193 seats on shoulder 59, groove 194 comes into alignment with groove 57, so that segments 195 snap outwardly, with their upper faces 196 engaging beneath wall 58 of groove 57, so that the retrieving tool is latched securely to the mandrel simultaneously with disengagement of the mandrel latching segment 26. Accordingly, retrieval of the mandrel can now be accomplished simply by pulling upwardly on the retrieving tool, as by the usual handling string.

While particularly advantageous embodiments have been chosen for illustrative purposes, it will be understood that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a tool for disassembling and retrieving from a remote point of installation a tubular well device secured by a plurality of radially biased latch elements and having upwardly exposed means by which the latch elements can be actuated to disengaged position, the combination of a body adapted for attachment to a string of handling pipe and having a portion insertable downwardly into the well device to be retrieved;

means for securing said body to the well device when said body is lowered by the handling string to such remote point of installation and said portion is inserted into the well device;

fluid pressure operated latch element actuating means comprising a dependent rigid annular member spaced outwardly from said body and carried thereby, said annular member being dimensioned to accommodate the upper end portion of the well device and having a lower portion dimensioned and disposed to engage the upwardly exposed means of the well device for actuation of the latch elements to disengaged position, and

expansible chamber power means carried by said body and arranged to drive said annular member downwardly into engagement with the upwardly exposed means of the well device when 13 fluid under pressure is supplied to said power means; and

duct means communicating with the interior of the handling string when said body is attached thereto,

said duct means being connected to said expansible chamber power means whereby the latter can be operated by pressure fluid supplied through the handling string.

2. A tool in accordance with claim 1 and wherein said body is provided with a through bore which extends coaxially with respect to the handling string when said body is attached to the handling string,

the tool further comprising a plug member disposed in the upper portion of said through bore and releasably secured to said body, said plug having an upwardly opening recess communicating with the interior of the handling string when said body is attached to the handling string, and

at least one lateral duct communicating with said recess and opening outwardly relative to said P said duct means communicating with said lateral duct of said plug member.

3. A tool in accordance with claim 2 and wherein said means for securing said body to the well device comprises at least one outwardly biased latch element having a lower, downwardly and inwardly slanting cam face,

said latch elements being mounted on said body for movement between an outer, latching position and an inner, retracted position,

the transverse dimension of said body below said element being smaller than the corresponding transverse internal dimension of the well device whereby, when said body is inserted in the well device and said latch element ocupies its outer, latching position, said cam face extends across a downwardly opening space between said body and the well device;

the tool further comprising an actuating member mounted on the lower end portion of said body for movement axially relative to said through bore, said actuating member having an upright portion projecting upwardly into said downwardly open space toward said cam face, and

an opening aligned with said through bore to accommodate a tool passed downwardly through said bore for applying an upward force to said actuating member to move the same upwardly and bring said upright portion into camming engagement with said cam face in order to move said latch element to its retracted position.

4. In a tool for disassembling and retrieving from a remote point of installation a tubular well device secured by a plurality of radially biased latch elements and having upwardly exposed means by which the latch elements can be actuated to disengaged position, the combination of a body adapted for downward insertion into the well device to be retrieved, said body having means whereby said body can be attached to a string of handling pipe, retractable means carried by the lower end portion of the body for securing said body to the well device, and a through bore communicating with the interior of the handling string when said body is attached to the handling string; fluid pressure operated latch element actuating means comprising a dependent rigid annular member surrounding said body and slidably carried thereby for movement axially with respect to said through bore, said annular member being dimensioned to accommodate the upper end portion of the well device to be retrieved and having a lower end portion dimensioned and disposed to engage the upwardly exposed means of the well device for actuation of the latch elements to disengaged position, and

expansible chamber power means carried by said body and arranged to drive said annular member downwardly into engagement with the upwardly exposed means of the well device when fluid under pressure is applied to said power means;

duct means connected to said expansible chamber power means for supply of pressure fluid thereto, said duct means including a duct opening inwardly into said through bore;

a plug member adapted for downward insertion into said through bore,

said plug member having an upwardly opening recess for communication with the interior of the handling string when said body is attached to the handling string, and

a lateral duct in communication with said recess and opening outwardly relative to said plug member,

said plug member and said body having cooperating shoulder means to position said plug member on said body, and said lateral duct being so located as to communicate with said inwardly opening duct when said shoulder means is engaged;

means for releasably securing said plug member to said body when said shoulder means is engaged,

said plug member being operative, when so releasably secured, to direct pressure fluid from the interior of the handling string into said duct means to cause said power means to drive said annular member downwardly, said plug member being remotely retrievable via the interior of the handling string; and actuating means movably mounted on the lower end portion of said body and operative to disengage said retractable means in order to free the tool from the well device,

said actuating means including an element engageable by a tool passed downwardly through the handling string and said through bore after retrieval of said plug member.

5. In a tool for disassembling and retrieving from a remote point of installation a tubular well device secured by a plurality of radially biased latch elements and having upwardly exposed means by which the latch elements can be actuated to disengaged position, the combination of a body adapted to be lowered into engagement with the well device to be recovered, said body being provided with an upright through bore,

releasable means for securing said body to the well device to be retrieved, and

means whereby said body can be attached to a string of handling pipe, said through bore communicating with the interior of the handling string when said body is so attached;

fluid pressure operated latch element retracting means comprising a rigid member mounted on said body for downward axial movement into engagement with the upwardly exposed means of the well device for actuation of the latch elements into disengaged position, and

expansible chamber power means for driving said rigid member downwardly to retract the latch elements of the well device;

duct means conected to said expansible chamber power means to supply pressure fluid thereto; plug means removably secured in said through bore and disposed to direct pressure fluid from the interior of the handling string into said duct means; and

movable actuating means carried by the lower end portion of said body and disposed for actuation by a tool passed downwardly through said bore, for releasing said releasable means and thereby freeing said body from the well device.

6. In a tool for disassembling and retrieving from a remote point of installation a tubular well ,device secured by a plurality of radially biased latch elements and having upwardly exposed means by which the latch elements can be actuated to disengaged position, the com bination of an upright body having a lower end portion adapted for downward insertion into the well device to be retrieved,

an outer cylindrical surface portion located above said lower end portion,

an outwardly projecting transverse flange located above said cylindrical surface portion, and

attachment means for connecting a string of handling pipe to the upper end portion of said body;

means for securing said body to the well device to prevent upward movement of said body relative to the Well device;

an actuator ring surrounding said cylindrical surface portion and including a first annular portion disposed below said flange of said body and slidably embracing said cylindrical surface portion,

a second annular portion projecting upwardly from first annular portion and slidably embracing said flange of said body member, and

a third annular portion depending from said first portion and spaced outwardly from said body member,

said cylindrical surface portion, said flange, said first annular portion and said second annular portion cooperating to define an expansible chamber,

said third annular portion having an inner transverse dimension adequate to accommodate an upper end portion of the well device to be retrieved; and

duct means placing said expansible chamber in communication with the interior of the handling string when said body is attached thereto, whereby fluid under pressure can be supplied downwardly via the handling string to force said actuating ring downwardly relative to said body for engagement with the upwardly exposed means of the well device to accomplish actuation of the latch elements of the well device to disengaged position.

7. In a tool for disassembling and retrieving from a remote point of installation a tubular well device secured by a plurality of radially biased latch elements and having upwardly exposed means by which the latch elements can be actuated to disengaged position, the combination of an upright body having a lower end portion adapted for downward insertion into the well device to be retrieved,

attachment means for connecting a string of handling pipe to the upper portion of said body,

a laterally opening latch member-accommodating recess in said lower end portion,

a shear element-accommodating recess in said lower end portion, and

downwardly directed shoulder means adapted to engage the well device and locate said recesses axially with respect thereto;

a latch member mounted in said first mentioned recess for movement between an inner, retracted position and an outwardly projecting position; resilient means biasing said latch member outwardly for latching engagement with the Well device to be 5 retrieved;

adjustable means carried by said body and operative to engage said latch member to retain the same in said retracted position; fluid pressure operated latch element actuating means comprising a dependent rigid annular member carried by said body for downward axial movement relative thereto, said annular member being dimensioned to accommodate the upper end portion of the well device to be retrieved and having a lower end portion dimensioned and disposed for engagement with the upwardly exposed means of the well device to actuate the latch elements to disengaged position, and

expansible chamber power means carried by said body and arranged to drive said annular member downwardly when fluid under pressure 18 supplied to said power means; and

duct means communicating between said power means and the interior of the handling string when sald body is attached to the handling string.

8. In a device adapted to be lowered to a predetermined point in an under water well installation and there automatically latched to a surrounding well device, the 30 combination of an upright body member having exterior shoulder means adapted to engage the surrounding well device, a lower portion provided with at least one outwardly opening recess; and a threaded bore extending upwardly through said lower portion and opening laterally into said recess; a latch pin slidably disposed in said recess and comprising an outer tip portion, an inner end portion, and an intermediate portion presenting an outwardly tapering frusto-conical surface; spring means disposed in said recess behind said inner end portion of said latch pin and normally eflect ve to bias said latch pin to an outer position in which said tip projects from said recess; and a screw threadely engaged in said bore and having a tip portion directed toward said latch pin,

said frusto-conical surface of said intermediate portion of said latch pin extending above sa d threaded bore when said latch pin is in sa d outer position, whereby adjustment of said screw toward said latch pin causes said tip portion of said screw to engage said frusto-conical surface to earn said latch pin inwardly of said recess to retracted position. 9. A device in accordance with claim 8 and wherein said recess is cylindrical, and u said latch pin includes a cylindrical surface portion slidably engaging the wall of said recess,

the transverse dimension of said outer tip portion of said latch pin being smaller than the diameter of said recess, the outer end portion of the cylindrical wall of said recess being threaded; the device further comprising an exteriorly threaded ring embracing said outer tip portion and threadedly engaged in said outer end portion of said recess to retain said latch pin. 10. A device in accordance with claim 8 and wherein flow passage means is provided in communication between the exposed outer tip of said latch pin and the interior of said recess behind said latch pin.

1 7 ll 8 11. In a tool for disassembling and retrieving from a of the well device can be actuated to disengaged remote point of installation a tubular well device secured position, by a plurality of radially biased latch elements and havthe positions of said dependent annular flange and said ing upwardly exposed means by which the latch elements latching member relative to said shoulder means can be actuated to disengaged position, the combina- 5 being such that, upon insertion of the tool into the tion of well device, downward movement of said body adean upright body having quate to engage said shoulder means with the coopera lower portion adapted for downward insertion ating seat presented by the well device will simultainto the well device to be retrieved, neously move said latching member and said dean outwardly opening recess in said lower por- 10 pendent annular flange into axial positions, relative tion, to the well device, efiective to cause latching ena latching member disposed'in said recess and gagement of said latching member with the well biased outwardly toward latching engagement device and actuation of the latch elements of the with the tubular well device to be retrieved, well device to disengaged position. shoulder means disposed to engage a cooperating 15 seat on the tubular well device to be retrieved, References Cited y the Examiner and h UNITED STATES PATENTS attachment means for connecting a string of an- 2,094,812 10/1937 Penick et al- 166 87 PM to said body and 2212 0a 8/1940 0' 166 86 a dependent annular flange rigidly carried by said 20 0 body,

said flange being dimensioned and disposed to EDWARD ALLEN pnmary Exammer' engage the upwardly exposed means on the THOMAS H. EAGER, Examiner. tubular well device by which the latch elements 

1. IN A TOOL FOR DISASSEMBLING AND RETRIEVING FROM A REMOTE POINT OF INSTALLATION A TUBULAR WELL DEVICE SECURED BY A PLURALITY OF RADIALLY BIASED LATCH ELEMENTS AND HAVING UPWARDLY EXPOSED MEANS BY WHICH THE LATCH ELEMENTS CAN BE ACTUATED TO DISENGAGED POSITION, THE COMBINATION OF A BODY ADAPTED FOR ATTACHMENT TO A STRING OF HANDLING PIPE AND HAVING A PORTION INSERTABLE DOWNWARDLY INTO THE WEL DEVICE TO BE RETRIEVED; MEANS FOR SECURING SAID BODY TO THE WELL DEVICE WHEN SAID BODY IS LOWERED BY THE HANDLING STRING TO SUCH REMOTE POINT OF INSTALLATION AND SAID PORTION IS INSERTED INTO THE WELL DEVICE; FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED LATCH ELEMENT ACTUATING MEANS COMPRISING A DEPENDENT RIGID ANNULAR MEMBER SPACED OUTWARDLY FROM SAID BODY AND CARRIED THEREBY, SAID ANNULAR MEMBER BEING DIMENSIONED TO ACCOMMODATE THE UPPER END PORTION OF THE WELL DEVICE AND HAVING A LOWER PORTION DIMENSIONED AND DISPOSED TO ENGAGE THE UPWARDLY EXPOSED MEANS OF THE WELL DEVICE FOR ACTUATION OF THE LATCH ELEMENTS TO DISENGAGED POSITION, AND EXPANSIBLE CHAMBER POWER MEANS CARRIED BY SAID BODY AND ARRANGED TO DRIVE SAID ANNULAR MEMBER DOWNWARDLY INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE UPWARDLY EXPOSED MEANS OF THE WELL DEVICE WHEN FLUID UNDER PRESSURE IS SUPPLIED TO SAID POWER MEANS; AND DUCT MEANS COMMUNICATING WITH THE INTERIOR OF THE HANDLING STRING WHEN SAID BODY IS ATTACHED THERETO, SAID DUCT MEANS BEING CONNECTED TO SAID EXPANSIBLE CHAMBER POWER MEANS WHEREBY THE LATTER CAN BE OPERATED BY PRESSURE FLUID SUPPLIED THROUGH THE HANDLING STRING. 